William sparks



W. SPARKS.

FUEL FEEDING DEVICE. APPLICATION man FEB. 23. 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Nov. 22 1921.-

W. SPARKS.

FUEL FEEDING DEVICE- APPLICATION mzn FEB. 23. 1921.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs.

WILLIAM SPARKS, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE SPARKS-WITHINGTON COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FUEL-FEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed February 23, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SPARKS, of Jackson, in the county of Jackson in the State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fuel-Feeding Devices, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in liquid elevating and feeding devices, and is designed particularly for use in supplying-liquid fuel to internal combustion engines of automobiles, motor-boats and the like, in connection with which it is very often desirable to have the primary fuel tank carried on the vehicle at a level below the carbureter.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of relatively simple and permanent construction of high efficiency in automatic operation, with particular reference to the construction of the elevated tank portion to which the liquid fuel is raised by the suction of the engine, and intermittently discharged therefrom to be fed by gravity to a vaporizing device, as for instance, the float chamber of a commercial carbureter.

The construction of the valves controlling the suction line and the air inlet respectively, and the means for supporting and operating the same is substantially the same as that shown in Letters Patent issued to me February 5, 1918, No. 1,255,347.

The novel departure constituting this invention is the combination in a structure having a suction and an air connection controlled in any suitable, operative manner, as for instance,that shown,of a. valve device controlling communication between the upper and lower chambers of the elevated tank, which valve device operates in and with the combination shown in a novel and improved manner.

In addition to the improved operation of the device, the construction here shown eliminates the necessity of providing the air outlet for the lower chamber of the elevated tank, with an expansion chamber to receive the liquid, when the motor stops and the lower tank is full of liquid fuel, and the said fuel is then subjected to heat, causing its expansion, and necessitating the provision of a structure to receive the same. The normally open valve of this construc tion is self-cleaning, easily moved to and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22,1921.

Serial No. 447,196.

from closed position, and permits the expansion to pass back from the lower tank into the upper chamber. Should the valve be in substantially closed position and at-v mospheric pressure exist in the upper cham her, the fit between the valve and its seat should be sufficiently loose to permit the passage of the expanded liquid to the upper chamber, reliance being had upon the vacuum for holding said valve in air-tight relation with its seat during operation of the device.

Other objects and advantages relate to the details of the. valve structure, all of which will more fully appear, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the elevated tank structure.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4: are respectively an elevation, a section, and a top plan view of the valve structure.

- Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are an elevation, a vertical section and a top plan of a modified form of structure.

Fig. 8 is a View of a slightly modified form of device.

As stated, the device is especially designed for use in connection with automobiles embodying internal combustion engines, and the elevated portion thereof may be positioned at any point upon the vehicle to automatically supply fuel to the carbureter by gravity, and is usually positioned some distance above the carbureter and above the primary fuel tank.

As shown, the invention comprises an elevated tank --1-- having suitable connection by pipe 2 with a primary fuel tank, a second connection through pipe 3- with any source of suction, as the manifold of the engine, and a third connection, as through pipe 4-. with a carbureter. The elevated tank 1 comprises a sheet metal tubular body 5, preferably cylindrical in form, and having its lower end closed by an end wall 6-. The tubular body is preferably divided into two chambers -7 and -8 by an annular transverse wall -9-, having a pair of axially extending substantially concentric flanges 10 and --1l, the flange 10-- tightly fitting within the tubular body portion and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by solderin welding and the like. The flange -11 justably receive an externally threaded nipple 12 forming a means of communication between the chambers -7 and 8.

The nipple 12- may, as shown, have an upper plate-like portion l8-resting upon the upper surface of the partition -9. However, any suitable construction may be utilized for connecting the nipple 12 with the partition 9 so as to constitute an air-tight joint.

The nipple, 12 is, as shown, preferably closed at its bottom by transverse wall 14t and is provided adjacent said wall 1a with a lateral opening 15-, through which fluid may discharge from the nipple into the chamber 8. The communication between the chamber -7 and the chamber 8 through the nipple 12 and opening 15- is normally free and substantially unrestricted. To accomplish this effect, and at times close such communication so that vacuum maybe produced in the upper chamber to an extent sufficient to elevate the liquid fuel thereto, a valve 16 is provided, pivoted at 17- adjacent the lower end of the nipple 12- and formed with a counter-arm or counterweight l8 adapted to normally hold such valve in open position so that communication between said chambers is normally free and open, permitting free passage .Of liquid fuel from the upper to the lower chamber, or reversely, as conditions may require. I

The nipple 12 is preferably provided with a guide 19- for the stem 20- of the float 21 which is adapted to pass through said guide and downwardly into the interior of the nipple 12 and at certain predetermined positions of the float 21- contact with a pin or projection 22- rigidly connected to the valve 16 and extending through the opening15- into the interior of the nipple -12 andinto line with the pin 22- of the float, which moves through the guide 19. lVith this construction the float positively moves the valve to closed position when that condition is desirable.

In the construction shown, the valve stem 20 carries a valve 23- adapted to close the passageway 24- communicating with the nipple 3- that leads to any suit able source of suction. The operation of the float, therefore, positively controls the source of suction, and positively closes the valve 16 when the conditions in the chamber 7' require those 'particular'oper- ,ations to effect the best result.

The fitting -3- is carried in any'suitable way by cover plate -25 which forms a closure for and is connected to the 'upper end of the tubular body 5 in .any'suit able manner, as that shown. The cover plate is closed, exceptfor the "fitting -j3, the-fitting or pipe 2 and the air, or atmospheric inlet 26-.

The atmospheric inlet '26' is'co'nt'rolled by a valve -'--27 which valve in turn is actuated indirectly by and in accordance with the movements of the float. The operation of the structure so far as the related nature of the suction and atmospheric valves are concerned, isthat the suction valve is closed by the float prior to the opening of the atmospheric valve. When the suction valve closes, there is considerable vacuum in the upper chamber 7 and it is necessary for liquid fuel to be elevated to that tank by the vacuum to neutralize a portion of the same, before the extension of the springs 28, as hereinafter described, is suificient to raise the valve 27 from its seat. The valve then opens and produces atmospheric pressure in the chamber, at which time the valve 16- by the gravity of its counterweight is moved to open position, to provide free communication between chambers 7 and 8, and permit the free discharge of fuel from the chamber 7- to the chamber -8 through the opening 15-.

As the liquid level falls in the chamber -7 the float moves downwardly and opens the communication through passageway 24 with the source of suction. The valve 27- remains open after the suction valve 23 has opened, and when the float is'moved downwardly a sufficient distance so that the tension of the springs 28 combined with the vacuum in the chamber, is suflicient, then the valve 27- is moved to close position by means of the lever 29-- which lever is pivoted upon a projection -30 froma plate 31 secured to the cover -25, and is formed with a stop 32- for limiting the upward movement of of the lever 29. The operation of the suction and inlet valves is, therefore, successive, and this construction results in the fact that the liquid fuel is supplied more often, but perhaps in smaller quantities, to the chamber 8--, than with a construction in which the suction and air valves operate simultaneously. When the float has moved downwardly a suflicient distance, the lower end of the float stem 20 contacts with the projection 22- and closes the valve charges into the chamber -8 from which it is supplied to the vaporizing device by gravity.

The chamber 8 is maintained under atmospheric pressure'at all times by means of a pipe 33, which may as shown, extend upwardly through the chamber -7 and communicate with the air vent 26.

It will be obvious that many and various constructions may be utilized for controlling the suction and air connection, and that those shown are merely illustrative of one particular method of accomplishing that result.

!The valve -l6 is normally open, it is self-cleaning, it moves with little resistance both to and from closed position, such movement being but slightly aifected by the presence of vacuum due to the fact that the valve moves or slides across the discharge opening, as distinguished from a movement to and from said opening. The valve does not open by gravity flow of the fluid from the upper receptacle to the lower receptacle, nor by pressure of the liquid in the upper receptacle, nor is it necessary to close the valve in opposition to the gravity flow of the discharging fluid. The valve is rather opened by its own gravity, and closed positively by a sliding movement across the discharge opening by means of a float when a predetermined float position is reached. The structure of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is substantially similar in so far as the main features of the device are concerned, to the structure shown in the former figures. There are, however, certain preferred details disclosed in these figures, consisting principally of the exact form of the counterweighted arm for operating the valve, and a means for limiting the downward movement of float, whereby the extent of mechanical actuation of the valve is determined.

As shown, the nipple 34- corresponding substantially to the nipple 12 is provided with an elongated conduit, or guide-way 35- for the float stem -20.

' This guidewav may extend from the upper portion of the nipple down to the edge of the opening 36- through which the liquid fuel discharges from the upper to the lower chamber. The float stem may be provided, as shown, with a stop -37 which comes into contact with the upper portion of the nipple -3l when the valve 3S has been mechanically moved to a closed position, and just prior to the time that the pin 39 would come in contact with the lower edge of said opening.

This feature is particularly desirable in connection with the exact form of valvehere shown, which valve is provided with means for tilting, or tending to slightly tilt small angle with respect to the seat formed around the opening -36. The advantage of this construction is that even when the valve has been mechanically moved to a closed position, there is still suflicient space between the valve and its seat to permit the passage of expansion upwardly from the lower chamber into the upper chamber when the engine stops and the lower chamber which is substantially full of liquid fuel, is subjected tohigh temperature.

This tilting of the valve, or tendency to tilt, may be affected in any suitable way, and as shown, the rearward extension or counter-arm -4L0 is formed of a single strip of sheet metal in turn bent upon itself, to constitute a sufficient weight to normally hold the valve in open position, and this portion of the counter-arm is bent, or off-set laterally from the plane of the valve -38 in a direction so as to tend to tilt the bottom portion of the valve from the plane of the seat, and normally leave a restricted opening for the passage of fluid upwardly.

This act-ion can, of course, only take place when the vacuum has been relieved in the upper chamber, and during operating conditions, the vacuum is always on when the valve 38 is closed so that this tilting action is overcome by the vacuum and the valve is held tightly to its seat. But this operation is valuable when the operation of the device stops with the float in a lowered condition and the valve -3S held closed by the float stem. Then when the vacuum neutralizes, the lower chamber will be sufiiciently in communication with the upper chamber to permit upward expansion of the liquid, should that be desirable.

Ordinarily, when the motor stops with the lower tank full, the float -21- would be sufliciently elevated so that the valve 38- would normally open by its own counter-arm, overcoming the weight of the valve.

In Fig. 8 a similar construction is dis closed, except that the valve -38 instead of being provided with a counter-arm or countenweight tO- which normally holds the valve in open position, is equipped with a light spring 41 which accomplishes the same purpose in substantially the same way.

However, it is believed that the counterweight has certain advantages over the spring construction, and is, therefore, deemed preferable. Both valves are, however, sliding valves that are mechanically actuated, being normally held in open position by a counter-weight or by a spring, and being moved to closed position by op eration of the float or parts controlled thereby. A normally open valve has certain advantages over a normally closed valve, particularly with respect to the rapidity with which a cycle of operation may be performed, in that it is not necessary that the valve should be opened by the weight of the liquid in the upper chamber, but on the other hand,'the valve immediately opens itself when the vacuum has been neutralized to a certain extent, and remains in that open position untilmechanically closed.

From the above, it will be readily understood that the means of communication between the upper and lower chamber may be modified and varied in numerous ways, and that the particular form and construction of the valve may be changed and varied at will, the essential feature of the same being that the valve is normally open by its own weight, or by a counter-arm constituting a portion of the pivotal means thereof, said valve being positively closed by action of the float when the'float reaches apredetermined position during its movements, in the upper chamber as controlled by the level of liquid therein.

What I claim is:

1. In a fuel feeding device, an elevated tank comprising an upper chamber, and a lower chamber, an exhaust connection and an atmosphere inlet to the upper chamber, float-actuated means for alternately connecting said chamber with the exhaust means and with the atmosphere, a slide valve controlling the communication between the upper and lower chambers, a counterweight for normally holding said valve in open position. and float-actuated means for moving said valve to closed position.

2. In a fuel feeding device, a tank comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, an exhaust connection and an atmosphere inlet to the upper chamber. means for alternately connecting said chamber with the exhaust means and with the atmosphere, a normally open slide valve controlling the communication between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, and float-actuated means for moving said valve to closed position.

3. In a fuel feeding device, a tank com prising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, an exhaust connection and an atmosphere inlet to the upper chamber, means for alternately connecting said chamber with the exhaust means and with the atmosphere, a normally open slide valve controlling the communication between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, and fluid-actuated means unconnected to the said valve for moving said valve to closed position.

mosphere, a pivoted slide valvecontrolling communication between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, a counterweight for normally holding said valve in open position, and fluid-actuated means for moving said valve to closed position. 7

5. In a fuel feeding device, a tank comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, an exhaust connection and an atmosphere inlet to the upper chamber, means for alternately connecting said chamber with the exhaust means and wit-h the atmosphere, a vertically disposed slide valve controlling communication between said chambers, a counter-weight for normally holding said valve in open position, and means actuated by a float in the upper chamber for closing said valve at a predetermined position of said float.

6. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a passageway connecting the same, a normally open slide valve controlling communication between said chambers, a float in the upper chamber having means for closing said valve.

7. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a passageway connecting the same, a vertically disposed slide valve in the lower chamber controlling communication between said chambers, said valve having means projecting into said passageway, and means actuated by a float in the upper chamber adapted to contact with said means in the passageway to close said valve at a predetermined position of said float.

8. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, means of communication between said chambers, a slide valve movable across such means of communication, a float in the upper chamber, a float-actuated means for sliding said valve positively to one of its operative positions, means independent of the float for sliding said valve to its other operative position.

9. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a nipple constituting means of communication between said chambers, said nipple projecting into the lower chamber and formed with a lateral discharge opening, a normally open vertically disposed slide valve controlling said discharge opening'and means actuated by a float in the upper chamber for closin said valve.

10. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and-a lower chamber, a passageway connecting the same, a normally open vertically disposed slide valve controlling said passageway, saidvalve having a projection extending into the passageway, and means actuated byafloat in the upper chamber adapted "to move said valve to closed position by contact with said means extending into said passageway.

11. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a lateral discharge opening forming a communication between said chambers a Vertically disposed, normally open slide valve controlling said opening, and float actuated means for closing said valve.

12. In a, device of the class described, an

upper chamber and a lower chamber, a nipple forming means of communication between said chambers, said nipple projecting into the lower chamber, and having a lateral discharge opening, a valve pivoted near the lower end of said nipple, and having an arm extending rearwardly from the pivot and forming a counter-Weight normally holding said valve in open position, a float in the up per chamber, and means actuated by the float for moving said valve to closed position.

13. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a nipple forming means of communication between said chambers, said nipple projecting into the lower chamber, and having a lateral discharge opening, a valve pivoted near the lower end of said nipple, means movable in said nipple and actuated by a float for mov ing said valve to closed position at a predetermined position of said float.

14. In a fuel feeding device, an elevated tank comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, an exhaust connection and an atmosphere inlet to the upper chamber,

float-actuated means for alternately connecting said chamber with exhaust means and with the atmosphere, a normally open slide valve controlling communication between the upper and lower chambers, means tending to tilt the said valve with reference to its seat, and float-actuated means for moving said valve to closed position.

15. In a fuel feeding device an elevated tank comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, an exhaust connection and an atmosphere inlet to the upper chamber, float-actuated means for alternately connecting said. chamber with exhaust means and with the atmosphere, a normally open slide valve controlling communication between the upper and lower chambers, means tend ing to tilt said valve with reference to its seat, float-actuated means for moving said valve to closed position, and means for limiting the movement of said float-actuated means in closing said valve.

16. In a device of the class described, an upper chamber and a lower chamber, means of communication between said chamber, a valve slidable across said means of communication to open and close the same, and float actuated means for positively moving said valve to one of its operative positions.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of February, 1921.

WILLIAM SPARKS.

Witnesses LILLIAN E. WVUNDERLIQH,

CHARLns E. SPARKS. 

